A country of such varying geographical contrasts certainly has a rich history with many Open Championship golf courses and European golf tour venues to play.
A golf trip to Scotland could include playing legendary golf courses such as St Andrews, Turnberry or Gleneagles, paired with a stay in a luxurious 5-star hotel. It's no wonder that golf in Scotland is world-renowned with all that is offered. So why not read our guide to the best-hidden gem golf courses in Scotland here.
Check out our best stay and play golf packages in Scotland.
Golf in Fife & East Coast
Here you will find the famous "Home of Golf" St Andrews, which has hosted The Open Championship 29 times. This course is where it all began and is a bucket list course for these seeking golf breaks in Scotland. The town oozes character and charm and is dominated by the links. But, history doesn't stop there. As you tee up on the 1st hole, with the R&A headquarters overlooking, one cannot help but imagine all the players that have walked these fairways. The St Andrews facility doesn't stop there; there are eight golf courses to play on the estate.
Other courses in the region worthy of note are the charming Ladybank golf club, Kingsbarns golf club and the Dukes Course at St Andrews golf club.
The Carnoustie Hotel in Angus is another excellent hotel steeped in history and another Open venue. This fantastic property has numerous facilities, including three golf courses; The Budden, The Burnside and The Championship Links. Any stay here is a unique experience, and the course can be particularly challenging, but the whole resort is enveloped in history. The Championship Course at Carnoustie is most famous for being an integral golf course used in the Dunhill Links. However, it has also hosted an impressive eight Open Championships.
Where to stay: The St Andrews Old Course Hotel or the Fairmont St Andrews Bay.
Golf in Ayrshire, West Coast
Over to the west coast, we have another stretch of world-famous Open venues. Old Prestwick, Royal Troon and Turnberry are all links hosts of the Open Championship. When visiting, it is surprising how close these venues are to each other...truly a golfers dream location.
Starting with Trump Turnberry, The Aisla Course is the star of the show, located on the rugged coastline and overlooked by the impressive Turnberry hotel. This Resort is where the memorable "Duel in the Sun '' took place in the 1977 Open. Who wouldn't want to experience the course on which this story unravelled.
This coastline has astounding views of Aisla Craig and the Isle of Arran. Match that with extensive beaches, deep blue sea and some of the best golf in the UK; we highly recommend a golf trip to Ayrshire. We can also recommend some less well-known courses, some of which are available to non-members.
Where to stay: Trump Turnberry is a fantastic experience, although not cheap.
Golf in the Highlands
The Gleneagles Hotel is highly recommended for a golf holiday, with three championship golf courses on-site; the Kings, Queens and fantastic PGA Centenary courses. Another venue not short on history, having hosted the 2014 Ryder Cup. The estate has a blend of golfing challenge and natural beauty, lending itself to be one of the top golfing venues in the world. Other activities are available, including The Gleneagles Shooting School, The Gleneagles Equestrian School, The British School of Falconry, and Cycling, Archery, and fishing. There is also an award-winning spa.
Where to Stay: Gleneagles Hotel, a five-star luxury hotel with superb facilities
Here is our selection of the best golf courses in Scotland:
Carnoustie Golf Resort
The Carnoustie Golf Hotel & Spa is one of Scotland's finest golf resorts. For inspiration on other spa and golf breaks, see our expert guide.
Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club
Stay and play at the stunning Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club, offering a perfect golfing weekend getaway.
Fairmont St Andrews Golf Breaks
The Fairmont is a five-star luxury in a fantastic location. In addition, we have some great value deals.
Macdonald Aviemore Resort
Macdonald Aviemore Resort at the heart of the Scottish Highlands offers a perfect golfing weekend getaway.
Macdonald Cardrona Hotel
At the heart of the Scottish Border Country, Macdonald Cardrona offers a perfect golfing weekend getaway.
Murrayshall Country House & Golf Club
Try a short weekend getaway at the heart of the Perthshire countryside.
Old Course Hotel Golf Resort & Spa
The most famous golf hotel in the world has some of the best golf breaks. In addition, we have some great value deals.
Gleneagles Golf Resort
The Gleneagles Hotel is one of the most luxurious golf resorts in the UK with outstanding golf.
Trump Turnberry Golf Resort
World-class golf breaks on world-class golf courses. We have some great value deals. Contact 360 Golf Holidays for details & advice.
Our knowledgeable and helpful team will walk you through the planning process. Having visited the area extensively, they can recommend several options for your golf break and tailor a holiday just for you. We will then seamlessly hand you over to a dedicated holiday manager who will take care of things right up until the first tee.
Many of golf trips to Scotland are arranged to play some of the world's top golf courses, replicating those moments in golfing history that we all cherish. Our team can assist in planning a golf trip that accommodates all members of your group so that you get to experience the best golf courses Scotland has to offer, within your budget. Generally, the more famous resorts can be more expensive, however, often groups decide they are worth the money to play bucket-list golf. Some hidden gems are far cheaper that could be incorporated into your itinerary to lighten the load.
Golf holidays in Scotland would not be complete without a visit to one of the many whisky distilleries. There are many to choose from, and it is worth it for the journey alone as they are located in some stunning Highland landscapes. Each variety has its own distinct flavour and personality, depending on the region you are touring. Your group will also get a chance to see how they are produced, followed by a guided tasting. The national drink of Scotland is worth exploring and finding the one that suits your taste. Some names to consider when planning a tour; Bowmore, Talisker, Dalwhinnie and Laphroig. While driving to the courses, it is worth ensuring you enjoy some of the beautiful lochs and castles on the way.
You will never be short of a relaxing drink after playing golf in Scotland, as many of the resorts and towns have many bars and restaurants to choose from. In terms of heading out in the evening, St Andrews offers a lot of pubs to visit, and our choice would be The Jigger with its seating overlooking the 17th. Turnberry has a fantastic spike bar named the Duel in the Sun and The Grand Tea & Lounge Bar although groups may want to venture to nearby Ayr or Prestwick for livelier choices. For more information or to book please contact our team. We are ready, waiting and keen to tailor-make your next golf break in Scotland.
Famed for its extensive coastlines, rugged terrain and sand dune links courses; this region provides the enthusiastic golfer with a wealth of options when deciding which courses to include in a golf trip to Scotland.
Being the most northern district of the UK, the weather can be rough at times, which the average Scottish golfer is used to. Summer and early Autumn are our recommendations if you are looking to play in calmer conditions for your golf break in Scotland. We would consider avoiding the summer holidays as travel, in general, is that bit busier at those times. However, June and September are perfect for playing golf in Scotland as the temperatures are still warm and the courses are that bit less busy. Plus the rates are a bit cheaper, providing better value for money. Some would consider the weather to be part of the test, we agree; however, taking on these courses in a strong westerly could be too much of a challenge for some! One useful tip to consider is that the further north you travel, the more daylight you get at the end of the day. It's not unknown for a golfer to be completing their rounds beyond 10 pm.
